Coghlan hits winning single, Marlins beat Cards

Posted at: 03/23/2013 4:09 PM
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(AP) JUPITER, Fla. - A lighter Lance Lynn is still adjusting to pitching at his new weight.

Lynn threw 5 2-3 innings for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday in a 6-5 loss to Miami. Chris Coghlan’s RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth off Marc Rzepczynski won it for the Marlins.

An 18-game winner last year, Lynn has struggled most since losing about 30 pounds during the offseason. The right-hander entered this outing with a 7.50 spring ERA in 12 innings over four starts.

Lynn gave up three runs and four hits. He walked two, struck out five and hit consecutive batters starting the fourth. He is scheduled to start the Cardinals’ third game of the regular season at Arizona on April 3.

"Better, and that’s what you’re looking for every time out," he said. "I’m getting to be where I want to be and where I need to be for the first week of the season."

"I’m not worried about good or bad outings, it’s about improving every time out," Lynn said.

Gorkys Hernandez drove in three runs for the Marlins. He got his RBIs with a groundout, sacrifice fly and singled.

Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina each had two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals.

Miami starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed three runs and nine hits in six innings. He struck out two and threw a wild pitch.

NOTES: The Marlins signed INF Wilson Valdez, 34, to a minor league contract. He struck out looking and walked in two plate appearances. ... St. Louis reassigned RHP Seth Maness, Cs Audry Perez and J.R. Towles, INF Kolten Wong and OF Justin Christian to minor league camp. ... Miami opening day starter Ricky Nolasco will throw at the team’s complex on Wednesday instead of making that day’s long trip to Fort Myers, where the Marlins will play Boston.